Steam exhibitions mark GWR Hospital anniversary

The 150th anniversary of the opening of Great Western Railway Hospital will be marked with two special exhibitions.

Visits to the two exhibitions will be available for booking until Tuesday 31 August at www.steam-museum.org.uk.

Admission to both special exhibitions is included with Steam admission and free to Steam season ticket holders. Steam’s ‘Kids for a Quid’ offer will coincide, and up to four children (aged 3 to 15 years) can visit Steam for £1 each between 23 July and 5 September, when accompanied by a full-paying adult.

The discount can be claimed by entering the the discount code K4Q21 at the checkout. This offer is not valid in conjunction with any other offer or promotion including the purchase of family tickets. 

Felicity Jones, Collections and Exhibitions Officer at Steam, said: “The Great Western Railway recognised that happy and fulfilled employees were likely to be loyal and hardworking.

“Through education, as well as a range of clubs and societies supported by the GWR, the company made a continuous effort to offer worthwhile pursuits for employees outside of work.

“An interesting array of objects and archive material from the Steam collection are used to illustrate the social lives of Swindon Works employees and their families.

“Visitors will be able to see objects that would have been used during daily life, such as a Mechanics’ Institute membership card, and a rent book from a resident at the Swindon Railway Village.

“Other items include a pair of bowling balls that belonged to a member of the GWR Bowling Club. It is the first time that many of the objects have been on display at Steam.”

The first exhibition, named 'The Doctor Will See You Now', is said to explore the 'cradle to the grave' healthcare service introduced by the GWR's Medical Fund Society.

The 1940s saw the GWR Medical Fund as one of the oldest and most successful medical aid societies across the country, encompassing the swimming baths, a dentist, an optician, a chiropodist, and even a massage therapist. 

The hospital's capacity was 42 beds, with a new X-ray department and blood donor service. This first exhibition will also aim to examine how the GWR Medical Fund may have been a blueprint for the modern-day NHS. 

When the Swindon Railway Works opened in 1843, Swindon was a small market town. The second Steam exhibition is entitled 'Work, Rest and Play - Life Outside Swindon Works' and aims to explore how the GWR supported the town's growth, through the construction of new facilities such as the Railway Village, Mechanics' Institute and Bristol Street School.

The team at Steam are reminding the public that visitors will be requested to respect social distancing measures and follow Government guidelines. Visitors will be expected to wear a face covering unless exempt.

The GWR staff Orchestra practising in the Carriage Works during dinner hour in 1938 (Courtesy of the Steam Picture Library at https://www.steampicturelibrary.com/)